Overview & Reviews

Chrysler is generally considered part of the Big Three, a title that refers to the traditional triumvirate of domestic automakers. The current accuracy of this classification is open for debate, but there's no debating the fact that Chrysler has experienced a revival of sorts over the past few years.

Chrysler Corporation was founded in 1925 by Walter P. Chrysler, a noted machinist; he'd purchased the Maxwell Motor Corporation of Detroit and used it as the foundation for his new company. The automaker quickly earned a reputation for advanced engineering. In 1928, Chrysler Corporation expanded with the purchase of Dodge and the creation of the DeSoto and Plymouth divisions.

The 1930s saw Chrysler boldly looking toward the future with the introduction of its revolutionary Airflow. Powered by a front-mounted inline-8, the car was one of the first to be designed with aerodynamics in mind, and featured swooping lines and a prominent grille. Perhaps a bit too ahead of its time, the Airflow was a flop with the public. Chrysler was able to survive the lean years of the Depression thanks to strong sales of its entry-level Dodge and Plymouth brands, whose vehicles boasted more traditional designs and much lower price tags.

Chrysler shined postwar. For a period in the late 1940s, it even surpassed Ford as the No. 2 U.S. automaker. The company's storied "Hemi" V8 engine debuted in 1951. Offering 180 horsepower, it was a significant improvement over Chrysler's previous 135-hp V8. The Hemi engine was meant to trounce the V8 offered by Cadillac, Chrysler's rival, and it kick-started Detroit's horsepower race of the 1950s and '60s. The '50s also saw the debut of treasured Chrysler classics like the handsome Town and Country and the sleek 300C.

By 1961, Chrysler had trimmed its line of brands by dropping the DeSoto nameplate. New technologies were also afoot, such as unibody construction (Chrysler was the first of the Big Three to introduce it) and the replacement of generators with alternators for a car's charging system. In the latter half of the '60s, Chrysler was heavily involved with NASCAR and producing performance-oriented cars.

At the same time, however, dark clouds were gathering. As with other domestic automakers, the 1970s proved to be a difficult decade due to the oil crisis, new government regulations and changing consumer tastes. A costly and ineffective overseas expansion further hurt the company's bottom line. By the late '70s, the company was in such financial disarray that it petitioned the government for $1.5 billion in loan guarantees to save it from bankruptcy.

Thanks to impressive public campaigning by then-chairman Lee Iacocca, the debut of the well-received K-car platform and the creation of the modern minivan, sales had improved dramatically by the mid-'80s. The government's loan was paid off seven years early. The picture further brightened in the late 1980s with Chrysler's purchase of American Motors Corporation (which netted the company the Jeep brand) and a joint venture with Mitsubishi known as Diamond Star Motors.

Success continued through the early 1990s. In 1998, German-based Daimler-Benz merged with Chrysler to form DaimlerChrysler. At the time, this deal was presented as a merger of equals. But it quickly became apparent that it was more of a purchase, with Daimler being the dominant partner.

Less than a decade later, that merger was no longer, as Daimler sold Chrysler (and Dodge) to a private equity firm in 2007. However, that merger had borne some worthwhile fruit, most notably in the form of the Chrysler 300 full-size sedan. The latter shared some chassis components with an older Mercedes-Benz E-Class platform.

As such, the 300 was a highlight for Chrysler that had a pleasingly solid feel to its driving dynamics that was further sweetened via an available powerful V8 engine. But soon after the split, America's economy slid into recession. Due to poor sales and debt, Chrysler had to declare bankruptcy and the federal government intervened with bailout loans. Eventually Chrysler came under control of Italy's Fiat.

Today, the lineup has been pared down to a pair of sedans, a convertible and a minivan. However, after years of having lackluster entries in the very important midsize car category, Chrysler made major improvements in the performance, design and quality of its midsize sedan entry, the 200. The latest 300 also stands as a prime choice for a premium full-size sedan. Still, it remains to be seen as to whether this and future product releases will be enough to restore the company to its former glory.

User Reviews:

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  Fun to Drive - 2008 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Len - November 26 - 9:39 am

  I bought this vehicle new some 10 months ago. I use this car exclusively for pleasure driving and consequently have less than 3,000 miles on it. The car handles well and is fun to drive on back roads. It lacks raw power and is not a head-jerker off the line. The auto transmission is slow to shift. I dont regret buying this car but would buy a Vette if I had it to do over again. But the price difference between the Crossfire and Vette is steep - I believe the Crossfire is a better value for the buck.

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  Great Find! - 1998 Chrysler Concorde
  By jboo1623 - November 23 - 7:02 pm

  I live in Michigan and the winters for those of us who live here can be brutal! I purchased this car from a small mom and pops dealership. I have the car now for about two years and I have no complaints being a used car with over 142,000 miles! I bought the car with 110,000 miles. I have not had any repair issues other then your regular oil change, and tires that I have purchased. I too agree the the rubber strip around the head lights is a pain. Keep popping out. The ride is quiet and solid. The air is awesome and I have turned it down many times because it was freezing me out. This is a great car for a used vehicle. I do expect to get another 100,000 miles. Great used car!

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  Love my LHS - 1997 Chrysler LHS
  By Christine - November 23 - 6:45 pm

  I purchased an LHS after driving one as a rental on vacation and just loved it. Bought it with about 25K on it. Super comfortable seats, very roomy, my passengers are always very impressed with the comfort of the back seat. Huge trunk. Handles great on the road in wet weather--wide wheel base. Good gas mileage for its size-- Im still getting 17 city and about 25 hwy. I did all of a sudden have problems with the paint, starting on the roof and it deteriorated fast. But, I still didnt want to part with itand the motor is still excellent, so I just had it painted last week. Now she looks showroom new. This is a great car for long road trips.

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  I love my Crossfire - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Midwest Chica - November 23 - 10:06 am

  I was searching for a cute, reliable, economical sports car. Ruled out Infiniti and the Nissan 350 for this wonderful Crossfire. I purchased my 2004 in 2007 at a really good price were it only had 25K miles on it. The body had no nicks or scratches and looked brand new. It has been a fun car to drive and I always get positive comments on this looker. However, maintenance can be pricey being that everything under the hood is Mercedes.

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  Good For What it is - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Xfire Lover - November 23 - 12:23 am

  For the price and what you get, this is hands down the best-bargain 2 seater luxury coupe on the market. For $26,000 or less you get a mercedes in mercedes clothing. You will either love or hate this car. I love it. You might too. Definitely take it for a test drive. Warning: More likely than not, youll end up buying the car after the test- drive.

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  Very Good Car - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Mark - November 22 - 11:27 pm

  Car rides and handles quite well. Comfortable for long trips. Looks pretty good with some decent quality to the interior materials, not full of cheap plastic. Very good stereo. Have had no real problems with it, so very reliable. Much better in that regard than my 2004 Hyundai Accent, or 90s model Ford cars. On the downside the fuel mileage isnt great. The visibility and maneuverability are somewhat lacking but Im used to compact cars. This is a bit of a boat. Windshield defrost takes forever, very ill conceived big center vent in the dash. Low ground clearance. Only a four speed automatic, should be five or six gears. Overall pretty happy.

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  love the car - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Jon M. Martin - November 22 - 10:00 am

  love the car, have issues with the service department with the company i bought it from. there was a puncture in the drivers seat when i bought it.they said they would fix it but have not heard from them. it runs a little ruff at stop lights while in idle. and still have not heard from the leasing dept. for any of my payments. which is coming up fast. i need to know where to send my payment!!!

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  Fun to own - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Greg901 - November 22 - 10:00 am

  I have been looking at this car for the last 9 months. Its as nice of a car to own as I imagined. I am very pleased.

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  My Cruiser - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Otis1 - November 22 - 10:00 am

  I have had this car for only a few months and I really enjoy this cruiser. It is easy to get in and out of and I love the way it looks. A Very cool car! I play music from time to time and it is no problem hauling my gear in it. Plenty of room. A great all around car.

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  Review of our Chrysler Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jim Burkhalter - November 22 - 10:00 am

  We have enjoyed our Pacifica on three road trips so far this year. Its one of the best road cars I have ever owned. Its a terrific ride in comfort and style. Im not as happy with the gas mileage, but the rest of the things we like makes up for it. Its a great trade off.